Sweet Dreams

FURNISHINGS | inspired designers

ROOM PHOTO BY ELISHA CAMPBELL

PORTRAIT BY ELISHA CAMPBELL

WHO: Design partners and friends Salma Amer and Lauren Wilson, right, of Farmington Hills-based Lily Jace Designs, are quickly making a name for themselves in the metro Detroit area. The duo’s appreciation for antique, vintage, and modern elements is evident when they create fresh interiors for their clients. Their design aesthetic is so popular that in less than two years, the women have amassed thousands of Instagram followers at their handle @lilyjacedesigns.

DESIGNERS’ GOAL: Amer designed the space shown here, in her Farmington Hills home, to grow with her daughters, 7-year-old Lily and 4-year-old Clara. Inspired by the magic of fairy tales, Amer’s goal was to create a space that would be kid-friendly and meaningful, yet calming enough to ease into a peaceful night’s slumber. The designer sprinkled endearing memories like fairy dust throughout this enchanting bedroom. Items marking special milestones — such as dresses worn by the girls on their first birthdays, a first pair of dance shoes, special Halloween costumes, and thoughtful gifts from their grandparents — are displayed as works of art in ornate vintage frames. “I like the idea that the girls look around the room and see décor that’s actually meaningful and brings back memories,” Amer says.

SALMA AMER AND LAUREN WILSON’S KID’S ROOM DESIGN TIPS:• Consider the child’s character and their preferences when selecting the color palette. Amer says her girls are very girly and sensitive, so this color palette made sense.• Stay away from cartoon characters; kids have a high turnover rate when it comes to favorite shows and toys, Wilson says.• Amer suggests getting kids in the habit of making their beds once they wake up.

“My favorite item in the space is definitely the framed dresses; they remind me every day of how quickly the girls grow”– Salma Amer

DESIGNERS’ GOAL: Watkinsville, Ga., homeowners Sarah Brooks and Jack Matthews requested a shared space for their two sons, ages 6 and 4, that’s comfortable, creative, and allows enough room for both boys to have their own “area.” The result is shown above — an adorable bedroom filled with pattern, color, and room to grow. “The open space in between the two twin beds is the ultimate spot for train tracks and Lego-building, while the original, locally-sourced artwork and vintage accessories make it a totally inspiring and one-of-a-kind space,” Ramsay says.

KRISTA NYE NICHOLAS AND TAMI RAMSAY’S KIDS’ ROOM DESIGN TIPS:• Keep age-specific items to a minimum, and limit them to lower-ticket items that can easily be changed out — like prints on the wall, toys, and bedding, Nicholas says.• In general, aim to design “up” in age; children will only be their current age for a hot second. Design the majority of the room with the next five to 10 years of their life in mind, Ramsay says.• Good-looking storage is a must for both homeowners and their little ones, Nicholas says. You’ll be grateful for the baskets and bins that allow every action hero to be tucked away at the end of each play-filled day.• It’s important to include your little ones in the design process and incorporate the things that are meaningful to them, no matter how fleeting of a phase you know it will be. The key is to realize that those things are ultimately short-lived; your budget for those pieces should reflect that knowledge, Ramsay says.